Figure 4.

Effect of AMPK activation on cardiomyocytic apoptosis after cardioplegia-induced H/R injury. The percentage of apoptotic nuclei in different groups was determined by staining with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). Protein levels of Bcl-2/Bax ratio, activated caspase-3, and cleaved poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase were determined in the different groups by western blot analysis. Caspase-3 activity was also evaluated. (Results are representative of at least 3 separate experiments. *P < .05 compared with Group 1; H: hypoxia; R: reoxygenation; Met: metformin.)